From Sidelines to Center Stage: Competition Cheer leading getting more than just acknowledged

Competitive cheerleading is a high-energy, dynamic and physically demanding sport that is a combination of dance, gymnastics, and traditional cheering. Unlike sideline cheer which focuses on supporting other sports teams, competitive cheer is its own event in which a team performs a routine to judges. In these routines it includes a choreographed dance and cheer chant, stunts which are lifts involving 2-3 athletes lifting/tossing another athlete into the air. partner stunts similar to stunts but involving 2 stunt groups working together. tumbling which involves gymnastic elements such as running or standing flips like handsprings or tucks. Jumps and double jumps like toe touches, pikes, and herkies requiring a lot of flexibility, core strength, and timing. and finally pyramids which are much larger and more complex stunts involving 3 or more stunt groups. The goal is to have the least amount of deductions, and impress the judges with precision, creativity, athleticism, and appearance of the athletes. The Competitive nature of the sport causes teams to constantly push the boundaries to create more innovative and challenging routines. Competition cheer requires rigorous training, teamwork, a high level of physical fitness, and most importantly synchronization to ensure safety.

Competition Cheer has gotten a great amount of recognition in the last couple of decades with growing programs and specific recognition for the athleticism needed in competitive cheer. For example in a case against Quinnipiac University's decision to count competitive cheerleading as a sport instead of an activity/club the U.S. Supreme Court states:

“Like the district court, we acknowledge record evidence showing that competitive cheerleading can be physically challenging, requiring competitors to possess`strength, agility, and grace,'...” (CBS).

The main reason why competitive cheer isn’t recognized as a sport in many high schools and Universities is because of a lack of organization in the postseason, In the same court case the U.S. Supreme Court states:

“The appeals court agreed with U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill, who found in 2010 that competitive cheerleading did not have the organization, post-season structure or standardized rules required to be considered a varsity sport” (CBS).

Along with the lack of postseason training and standard rules, other reasons linked to why competition cheer isn’t considered a sport is because of an association with sideline cheer and cheerleadings traditional role with supporting other sports teams. lack of recognition in other regions because of funding, resources, and participation. and representation in the media focusing more on cheerleadings stereotypical entertainment aspect rather than its athletic and competitive elements.

Despite the reasons given for the lack of recognition, competition cheer embodies all the core elements of athletic competition. So in the main argument that competition cheer isn’t a sport due to the lack of postseason organization, is just patently untrue. A way to debunk this confusion is to take a look at both competitive and sideline cheer seasons. Competition cheer starts as early as November and ends anywhere from March to May. WHile sideline Cheer which doesn’t involve any competition aspects but still involves all the athletic aspects discussed in the routines, workouts start In May and go until August when the season officially starts and goes until November. So while there may be a few months of a break for cheer athletes, sideline cheer is similar to other sports organized postseason, where athletes are still training. Like stated in an article discussing specifically sideline cheer from Bowie State University, it states:

"Cheerleaders are required to weight train, condition, and practice … just as other sports such as football, basketball or track” (Bowie State University).

So if people could recognize that sideline cheer is competition cheers postseason training. There is no excuse that competition cheer shouldn’t be recognized as a sport.

In closing, competition cheer should not be penalized as a sport because of lack of organization in the postseason, when compared to the amount of work athletes put into competitive cheer. And when the question is asked to the Varsity athletes of Washingtonville High School, should competitive cheerleading be recognized as a sport? And why? Jessica Rose, a sophomore on Competitive Cheer and Volleyball with 2 seasons of experience also says:

“Yes it should be recognized as a sport because the sport requires strength and endurance like many other sports. In a routine athletes are constantly doing something if it’s cheering and motions or stunting or dancing. Not to mention how much work goes into curating the perfect routine and executing it, after a routine a majority of the athletes can be seen sweating and out of breath like other sports.”

Finally, Larissa Greg, a junior on Sideline cheer, Competitive cheer, and Flag Football with 3 seasons of experience said:

“I think cheer should be recognized as a sport because of the amount of effort, time, and physical activity put into creating and executing our routine is just as much as any other sport. As cheerleaders, we are able to connect with the crowd/judges by showcasing our spirit and skills. Just like athletes playing on a field, we work together to win on the mat.”